Dallas Stars Blog

Hicks: Nieuwendyk had to make a tough choice

Tom Hicks is out in California, and I talked to him tonight about the situation with Mike Modano.

“We left it up to Joe, because he had the mandate to rebuild the Stars, and we support the decision he made,” Hicks said. “Nobody wants to see Mike go, but there comes a time for every player when you have to make tough decisions.”

Hicks said he hopes Modano can stay with the organization forever, but that he is not able to make that kind of long-term decision when the team is up for sale.

“Well, I think the proper steps of the process would be that Mike has to make a decision on his career and retirement, and then if he does retire, the next step would be to talk to him,” Hicks said. “But that’s an issue for the new owner. I seriously think any owner would be happy to have Mike be a part of the team, and I will recommend to any owner that if Mike wants to be a part of the Stars, he needs to be a part of the Stars. He’s the best player we’ve ever had.”

Hicks declined to talk about the sale of the team, and said that one of the things he learned from the sale of the Rangers is that media silence is a good thing in any sale.

“It doesn’t need to be talked about in the public. That doesn’t help the process,” he said. “We are working very hard behind the scenes and we feel there is progress being made. There could just be a day that comes when we announce the sale of the team is complete. That would be the best way to do it.”